A Ricky Yiu birthday treble kept Tony Cruz at arm’s length at Sha Tin on Sunday (12 July): the trainers’ championship leader outdid his rival by three wins to two to hold a clear advantage going into the campaign’s final fixture.

Yiu, 63 today, ended the afternoon with 67 wins on the board, four clear of Cruz and the static Lui, with nine races set for Wednesday (15 July) night at the downtown track.

“I’m starting to see a bit of daylight now – I think I can be a little bit more optimistic!” Yiu said after Super Oasis put some sheen to his haul in the Class 2 Hong Kong Racehorse Owners Association Trophy Handicap (1400m).

Jerry Chau’s 10lb claim meant the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) 10th carried 120lb for a drop back in distance, and that proved right up his street.

“Dropping back to 1400 metres was a big task for him but the 10lb claim and the change of tactics were main factors; when he raced over further he travelled really well and hit the front too soon and would stop. Now, he chases, and he loved the race pattern today,” Yiu said.

“He was the only one in the race that participated in the Derby so he had the best form but it was always going to depend on how he would cope with the 1400m.”

Super Oasis’ win brought some breathing space, following on from Natural Storm’s maiden-breaking win under Chad Schofield in the Class 4 Solar Hei Hei Handicap (1800m); Good Luck Friend added the daylight with a tough effort under Joao Moreira to take the last, the Class 3 Entrapment Handicap (1200m).

“Every winner now is important, every bit counts,” Yiu said. 

Cruz knows that all too well. The three-time champion struck first – having crept into contention from off the pace over the past few weeks – with the Karis Teetan-ridden Circuit Hassler in race three, the Class 4 All You Wish Handicap (1400m).

The former riding great applied pressure to Yiu with the Purton-ridden Mr Aldan’s score in race eight, the Class 3 Contentment Handicap (1600m), only for Super Oasis and Good Luck Friend to swing the pendulum a long way in Yiu’s favour.

“I need a few more,” Cruz said with a hint of resignation. “But I’m trying. We’re definitely going to keep pushing right to the end.”

Mr Aldan’s form dipped at his last start in early June when a distant 13th, with reported mucus in the trachea. 

“This horse just needed a little help, so I gave him some time to freshen up since his last run and he’s come out and won well,” said Cruz.

Lui ended the day without success and, like Cruz, is looking for a huge return on Wednesday, while hoping Yiu has run out of steam.

Chau wrapped up with a brace when he drove the Douglas Whyte-trained Private Rocket home in the Class 3 Pingwu Spark Handicap (1400m), holding off the Yiu-trained runner-up Alcari.

Aiming for the Sky

Moreira was in treble form and he was buzzing after Sky Field put four lengths on the field in the Class 4 Mr Award Handicap (1200m).

The Caspar Fownes-trained three-year-old broke his maiden at the third attempt in a manner that points to a bright future.

“It’s been a while since I’ve ridden a nice young talent like him. The best part of it is that he feels like a raw type, that has plenty of improvement still,” Moreira said.

“There are no words to describe what a great feeling you get when you ride such a nice horse.”

Moreira took the first of the 11 races – the Class 5 Medic Kingdom Handicap (1400m) – when the John Moore-trained Kelmimi Wins (127lb) bobbed his nose on the line a fraction ahead of the Karis Teetan-ridden Adonis (127lb).

That was Moore’s final win at Sha Tin as a Hong Kong-licensed trainer.

Vigor Champ was on the mark in the Class 4 Victory Marvel Handicap (1200m) for trainer Jimmy Ting and jockey Keith Yeung.

David Hall saddled two winners, with the Zac Purton-ridden Fast Most Furious taking the Class 1 Sha Tin Mile Trophy Handicap (1600m) and Sumstreetsumwhere earning a Class 4 score under Blass Shinn.

Hong Kong racing continues as Happy Valley on Wednesday, 15 July.